Network Premiere – Saturday March 8th at 8/7c on Lifetime – What a terrific and moving film! Cicely Tyson turns in a remarkable performance as an elderly lady named Carrie Watts. She lives with her son Ludie (Blair Underwood) and his wife, Jessie Mae (Vanessa Williams), in Houston, and her daughter-in-law constantly nags at her, getting upset when Mama Watts sings hymns. Williams really plays the disgruntled daughter-in-law very well. Jessie Mae wants Mama’s government check and gets upset if she thinks Mama Watts is holding out on her. Mama wants to see Bountiful once more, the home she grew up in, before she dies.

Tired of the strife and tension at home, she runs off and buys a bus ticket to Bountiful and meets a young woman who helps her during the trip. The young woman is missing her husband, who just went off to war, and Mama encourages her. She tells the young woman that she is a wonderful person and that she wishes her daughter who died, had she lived, would have turned out like her. When the sheriff discovers Mama sleeping on a bench at the bus station, he is determined to hold her until her son arrives for her but when she pleads with the sheriff to help her just see her home once more and then she will peacefully return home with her son, he agrees and even takes her there.

This inspiring movie features Mama experiencing the freedom of singing a hymn at the bus station without being reprimanded by her daughter-in-law, and the precious moments she experiences in seeing her old home one last time. Anyone who has ever missed their childhood days or home will surely enjoy this film. It features a solid faith in God, prayer over meals, and the love of a sweet elderly lady that will capture the viewer’s heart. We even see Jessie Mae change a bit for the better by movie’s end. We are very happy to award this movie our Dove “Family-Approved” Seal and five Doves, our best rating. This movie will take you home again!